20 June 2024
5 min read

The Ultimate Foodie Guide: 50 best spots to eat in Lisbon

I've lived in Lisbon for 8 years and tried over 1000 restaurants — This is the most comprehensive guide of Lisbon's best restaurants & bars, must-try dishes, and local gems that you ever hope to come across!
a smiling person who is Lisbon foodie image with many food in the background
Zoe Chen
@eatnowlisbon
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Welcome to Lisbon!

Whether it’s the most impossible reservation to book in the hottest restaurant in Principe Real, or the illegal Chinese diner hidden in a residential building in Chinatown, there are endless options for dining in Lisbon's lively food-and-drink scene.

Here is the most comprehensive list of the best restaurants and bars in Lisbon that you ever hope to come across, quite frankly. One thing you can always rely on is the foodie behind this guide is quite a picky eater and only includes places that she genuinely ate at and liked.

A Guide to Some of Lisbon's Best Dining Neighborhoods

Lisbon is not big compared to some mega metropolitans, but the food culture here is rather rich and dynamic. The rent may be too damn high in the city, but a short walk or a Uber ride introduces you to a different food scene in every neighborhood.

Principe Real

Principe Real gets a lot of attention as some of the hottest spots for dining are concentrated in this neighborhood. Chef Kiko's famous casual Peruvian spot, A Cevicheria serves ceviche and seafood dishes with an Asian twist plus pisco sours and wine. My personal favorites include BouBou's which has a lovely garden, Lebanese food at Sumaya, Atalho Real for good quality meat with friends, Gin Lovers in a beautiful palace, and Cafe Principe Real a hotel restaurant in Memmo hotel with a gorgeous tranquil view.

Mouraria / Martin Moniz / Intendente

This area starting from Chinatown to the surrounding of Avenida Almirante Reis is home to one of the city’s most affordable and diverse array of cuisines. You will find some affordable Asian eateries for fresh hand-pull noodles, dim sum, Peking duck, Vietnamese pho and so much more. The Portuguese seafood place Ramiro, and popular meat place Carvoaria Jacto are also here.  

Chiado

Downtown Lisbon's most central neighborhood is often thought of as a destination for some of the most compelling spots in the city. Pan Asian restaurant (Boa Bao), Chef Avillez's creation (Bairro do Avillez), Portuguese in a palace (Palacio Chiado), Seafood (Sea Me), Japanese (Nomada Chiado) are among the latest group of restaurants that have become destinations for diners all over Lisbon and internationally. Many of the longtime favorites are still going strong: Cafe No Chiado has one of the best ribs, the two Michelin restaurants, Alma and Belcanto, are always fully booked. Newcomers like Ao 26, a vegan spot inspired by Portuguese cuisines, and O Boteco, modern takes on Brazilian food are cementing the area’s reputation as one of the best dining destinations in the city.

La Paparrucha, a steakhouse in Principe Real with a view

Follow the (Michelin) Stars

Lisbon is home to 10 Michelin-starred restaurants, as of the latest awards given out in 2022. Belcanto and Alma are the only two 2-star restaurants, both are creative Portuguese menus. The list also include 100 Maneiras - Bosnian cuisine inspired menu, and Eneko - Basque flavor inspired menu. For the more affordable options, there’s also the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, among the 4 recommendations there is a vegan restaurant called Arkhe, and two Portuguese restaurant O Frade, and Solar dos Nunes.

Feitoria, 1-star Michelin restaurant

Head Out of Town (but within 30-min drive)

There are a few must-try restaurants located outside of the Lisbon city center but totally worth trying.

Cozinha Velha is next to the Queluz National Palace, and serves traditional Portuguese dishes, their specialty is the Sunday "Cozido" lunch where you experience the most traditional Sunday feast.

Taking a boat ride to cross the Tejo river, you will find Ponto Final, a lovely rustic restaurant sitting at the waterfront patio offering classic Portuguese plates and an uninterrupted view of the river and Lisbon city.

Staying on the Caparica side, one of my favorite beach restaurant is Irmao, it has a chilling free vibe and sometimes has DJ and live music.

Driving west towards Cascais direction, you must make a stop at Furnas do Guincho, where you can enjoy the fine seafood and just simply the wavs and the sea from this elegant restaurant on the cliff and rocks.

Keep driving north on the way to Sintra, make sure to check out Moinho Dom Quixote. It is a windmill turned restaurant now has lovely garden, an out-of-this-world view of the ocean and villages, truly a work of art.

Moinho Dom Quixote, in Sintra

Palácio Chiado
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Iconic upscale restaurant in a 19th-century palace with majestic staircase, plus a bar with DJ for dancing downstairs.
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O Frade
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Cozy, traditional Alentejo cuisine, with counter seating and an open kitchen, listed in the Michelin guide.
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Rocco
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Sophisticated Italian dining, and a romantic bar, in a festive inviting atmosphere with live music.
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Midori
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Michelin-star Japanese restaurant with view of Sintra mountains, in sophisticated, light-filled setting.
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Brilhante
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Elegant and romantic restaurant, with classic service, brining back nostalgic 19th vibes.
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Come Prima
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Italian dishes in romantic setting with dimmed lighting and dark wood decors.
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Galeto
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Iconic old-fashioned Portuguese restaurant open until 4am, with high chairs and counter seats.
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Oven Lisboa
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Creative Indian and Nepalese flavors in warm, inviting and pleasant atmosphere.
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Crush Doughnuts
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American donuts of various flavors, in a vintage chic cafe and outdoor seats.
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A Valenciana
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Traditional local Portuguese food and amazing roasted chicken.
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Ground Burger
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Classic American-style burgers and craft beer in casual setting.
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Furnas do Guincho
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Fresh traditional Portuguese seafood with Atlantic Ocean views.
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Ponto Final
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Stunning river views and delightful Portuguese dishes 30-min drive from Lisbon.
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Nannarella
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Very popular 100% natural ice cream and sorbets.
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Rossio Gastropub
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Exquisite rooftop with (probably) the best view of downtown Lisbon.
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Kanazawa
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Exotic, exclusive Japanese only 4 seats. Michelin 1 star!
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Pavilhão Chinês
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A bar with 5 rooms decorated like a museum with toys from WWII.
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Oysters and Margaritas
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A bar with oysters and other seafood, fish, cocktails and wine.
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Foxtrot
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Elegant artsy basement bar with an outdoor garden.
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Cinco Lounge
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Sophisticated cocktail bar with a modern high-end look.
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Rosamar
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Stylish chic spot with a garden for some seafood!
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Imprensa
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Stylish bar with fantastic cocktails, oysters and friendly staff.
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Ramiro
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Authentic, well-known, informal high-quality Portuguese seafood restaurant opened in 1950s.
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Ajitama
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Popular, high ceiling ramen restaurant in Lisbon.
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Cura
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Warm vibe, ultra delicious menu. (Michelin 1 star!)
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Eleven
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Elegance with garden view. (Michelin 1 star!)
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Ao 26
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Super delicious vegan restaurant in downtown.
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Bahr & Terrace
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Unassuming elegant rooftop restaurant in a 5-star hotel.
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Boa Bao
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Well-located Pan Asian restaurant with trendy stylish vibes.
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Alma
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Authentic Portuguese flavors with a creative modern twist (Michelin 2 stars!)
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Sala de Corte
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Specialized in matured meats.
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Arkhe
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Trendy vegetarian restaurant with innovative dishes.
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Feitoria
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Gourmet Portuguese flavors in top sophistication. (Michelin 1 star!)
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Pasteis de Belem
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Time-honoured Portuguese pastry shop making the iconic egg tarts.
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Nunes Real Marisqueira
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Classic Portuguese seafood restaurant with a price tag
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100 Maneiras
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Intimate, mysterious, exotic dining experience. (Michelin 1 star!)
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Lumi Restaurante & Bar
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A chic hotel rooftop with style, lots of sun and lovely brunch.
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O Talho
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Elegant, unique, creative meat restaurant.
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Cervejaria Liberdade
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Portuguese seafood with a classy touch
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JNcQUOI Asia
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Asian fusion, exotic declaration and a garden
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Red Frog
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Elegant speakeasy with a red frog symbol and creative cocktails.
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JNcQUOI Avenida
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High-end, proper, with an amazing basement lounge bar. (Michelin plate)
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Zé da Mouraria 2
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Best place to eat "bacalhau" (codfish)
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Old House
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Authentic fancy Chinese restaurant in the suburb of Lisbon.
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